Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy… This is the climax of an outburst of God's rebuke and expostulation. He stoops to plead with His rebellious people. Here are two characteristics of the natural heart. 1. An insinuation that God is a hard, austere Master. 2. A readiness to yield all excepting the heart itself.Notice that these three commands are linked together. The triple command cannot be dismembered. Notice that the order is logical, not that of historical development. Justice is the root, mercy the foliage, and godliness the fruit. I. DEAL JUSTLY. There may be a noisy zeal in religion while the scant measure, the wicked balance, and the deceitful weight are used. II. LOVE MERCY. The whole New Testament unfolds this idea. This is to be not an occasional act, but a habit; not in exercise when under pressure, but growing from an inward impulse. III. WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD. Lit. it is "bow low." Thus we feel an invisible presence and power, and have fellowship with the Unseen. Walking with God involves five particulars. 1. Choice of Him. 2. Sense of His actual presence. 3. Prayerfulness. 4. Sympathy. 5. Constant dependence.Two remarks — (1) This verse is commonly quoted by the enemies of Christ, mere moralists. But it is one of the most searching portions of the Word, and proves that by the law no flesh is justified, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (2) Those who have fled to the Cross for refuge will find in this verse a new incentive to holiness. It is by a blameless life we are to illustrate to the world the genuineness of our faith and professions of godliness. Let us not frustrate the grace of God, but lovingly heed this threefold law, that we may at once prove to ourselves, and to the world about us, that we are truly the children of God. (J. H. Worcester, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? |
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